Languages of Admira

Languages across Admira are varied and complex, with dozens of languages spoken in possibly hundreds of dialects. Some languages share alphabets. Some languages are derivatives or blends of others. While language and dialect can be a barrier to understanding between cultures, the gradual development of several trade languages has helped reduce misunderstandings.

It is important to understand the cultural significance or taboos of trade languages. For example, Daelish is spoken throughout Esora and is widely accepted even in regions that it is not the native language, like Hershav or Azula. However, even though Kelé - the most broadly spoken language across Koliska - is a bastardized blend of both Zhishí and Brechnikov, speaking it to a native Zhishí speaker in Shoto is a cultural faux pas. Conversely, though Ticari is a derivative of Arazisar'ki - the native language of Svashíl - anyone in Svashíl refusing to use or learn Ticari is generally viewed as elitist and pretentious.

The following section divides the known languages of Admira into four categories: Common, Regional, Local, and Unique.

Common languages include the five trade languages used widely throughout the world.

Regional languages comprise those spoken as the native language of a single region but may also be spoken in surrounding areas and are rarely derivatives of another language.

Local languages are those generally spoken within the confines of their parent nation or region, and are often offshoots of another language.

Unique languages gather together those usually spoken only by a specific race due to physical speech requirements or those spoken only by a very small number of people or groups.

Common

Daelish

Alphabet: Litera

Parent Language: Unknown

Where Spoken: Arakhor, Azula, Battle Sky Provinces, Chephira, Crosshire, Drakana, Eltania, Hershav, the Molinar Chain, Nellman Peninsula, Nyakona West, Solomon Isles

Details: One of the two most widely spoken languages on Admira, Daelish has the distinction of being the only trade language with an unknown origin. Spoken across all of Esora and small portions of southern Koliska and Contriterra, it appears to have developed either in the Battle Sky Provinces or the region that makes up central Chephira today. Daelish also has the benefit of sharing its Litera alphabet with every other major Esoran language, meaning it is easy to learn as a second language.

Kadí

Alphabet: Itab'awal
Parent Language: None
Where Spoken: Arakhor, Corön, Eiskaltebirge, Magnavi, Sepiana, Súter
Details: The native language of Súter and ancient, motherland language of the elves, Kadí is the oldest known language still spoken in modern Admira. A fluid language with a complex alphabet and syntax, it is spoken as a secondary language throughout much of Janabáir but only Súter claims it as its national language. The only true interplanar language of the common five, Kadí is also widely spoken in the Faela (fae wilds), though the constant comprehend languages effect in the Faela usually renders this fact irrelevant.

Kelé

Alphabet: Yazisi variant
Parent Language: Brechnikov and Zhishí
Where Spoken: Diomor, Goran Reaches, Radskev, Shoto, Siedmiogrod, Simshiá, Svashíl, Takara Velai, Ulthwë, Vinka
Details: The other of the Big Two, Kelé is spoken across all of northern and central Koliska, from the western domains of Svashil to the eastern tip of Takara Velai and central Shoto. It crosses paths with both Ticari and Zhishí, and is the root language of more than a dozen tribal dialects. Kelé is curious in that it's a derivative of not one, but two major languages - Brechnikov and Zhishí - and while a majority of its composition stems from Zhishí with lesser elements of Brechnikov (which itself is an offshoot of Arazisar'ki), its alphabet is distinctly from the latter with the writing structure of the former.

Ticari

Alphabet: Yazisi
Parent Language: Arazisar'ki
Where Spoken: Arakhor, Azula, Corön, Cylaris, Radskev, Raj, Súter, Svashíl
Details: The youngest of the five trade languages, Ticari began its life as a simple dialect of Arazisar'ki among Svashíl's Cylaran colonies. Over the generations it evolved into its own distinct language, and eventually became more widely spoken than its precursor. As a language based on seafaring trade, one can find elements of Kadí, Coröniano, and even Azulá within its composition.

Zhishi

Alphabet: Zhǔyì
Parent Language: None
Where Spoken: Arakhor, Battle Sky Provinces, Fitzei, Kaputapa, Mokwai, Shoto, Siedmiogrod, Simshiá, Takara Velai, Vinka, Zahareiva

Details: Zhishí is widely regarded as the most difficult trade language for a non-native speaker to learn, although it is so widespread that most who live in regions that use it learn it early in youth. With a character-based alphabet that has vague similarities to runic Yazisi, Zhishí is an artistic language that shares little with other written languages. Unlike the other trade languages, which developed naturally through use and cultural development, it is believed by the people of Shoto that the understanding of Zhishí was gifted directly to their nation by the goddess Shi-han as a way to separate and elevate them above the other civilizations.

Regional

Arazisar'ki

Alphabet: Yazisi
Parent Language: None
Where Spoken: Cylaris, Radskev, Raj, Svashíl
Details: The national language of Svashíl, Arazisar'ki is also the parent language of Brechnikov, Raje, and Ticari (and by extension of Brechnikov, Kelé as well). Curiously, though the dwarven homeland is considered to be Radskev, when the schism happened between that region and Svashíl, it was the Radskev dwarves that developed a new language.

Azulá

Alphabet: Litera
Parent Language: Unknown
Where Spoken: Arakhor, Azula, Drakana, Chephira, Nellman Peninsula
Details: Though not as broadly spoken as Daelish, Ticari, or Zhishí as a seafaring, naval language, Azulá is no less influential. The second-most spoken language on Esora, Azulá shares uncanny and mysterious similarities with Magni and Coröniano; though they're from disparate regions the three seem to share a parent spoken language.

Brechnikov

Alphabet: Yazisi
Parent Language: Arazisar'ki
Where Spoken: Goran Reaches, Radskev, Seidmiogrod, Vinka
Details: If you ask a dwarf from Radskev, Brechnikov is the original dwarven language. Dwarves from Svashíl know that's a load of manure. Though it shares an alphabet and general composition, Brechnikov is a harsher, more abrupt language than its precursor and is the national language of both Radskev and Siedmiogrod.

Hjinna

Alphabet: Litera
Parent Language: Unknown
Where Spoken: Battle Sky Provinces, Chephira, Hershav, the Molinar Chain, Nyakona West
Details: Hjinna is the regional language of Hershav, the arid desert of southeastern Esora. Similar to the odd situation of Azulá, Hjinna shares striking verbal similarities with two other disparate languages, Kadí and Velen. Further, ancient tablet inscriptions featuring the Itab'awal alphabet have been found in all three areas.

Magní

Alphabet: Écrite
Parent Language: Unknown
Where Spoken: Corön, Magnavi, Nyakona East, Sepiana, Súter
Details: The national language of Magnavi, Magní is spoken along the western half of Janabáir in lesser concentration. Oddly, though the elves of Magnavi emigrated hundreds of generations ago from Súter, their modern language bears no resemblance whatsoever to Kadí.

Ünsprache

Alphabet: Écrite variant
Parent Language: None
Where Spoken: Arakhor, Eiskaltebirge, Sepiana, Súter
Details: Ünsprache is the native language of the giants of Eiskaltebirge, and has been adopted over the centuries by the other indigenous races. It's also one of the two primary languages of Sepiana (along with Magní), a region without its own native language.

Local

Chisei

Alphabet: Zhǔyì variant
Parent Language: Zhishí
Where Spoken: Niwan
Details: When the dragon gods Kuriohikari and Kuriokage split their progeny from ancient Shoto, the people took their language and modified it into a separate, new language. Little known outside the Kenjin home island of Niwan, Chisei has started to spread slowly along the north Esoran coast in recent years.

Coröniano

Alphabet: Écrite
Parent Language: possibly Magní
Where Spoken: Corön, southern Cylaris
Details: Bearing a curious resemblance to both Magní and Azulá, Coröniano is the national language of Corön and spoken little outside its borders aside from a few settlements in southern Cylaris.

Diomör

Alphabet: Diomör
Parent Language: None
Where Spoken: Diomör, Ulthwë, Zahareiva
Details: Spoken as the native language of Diomör, a small elven island nation along the far northern reaches of Koliska, the language bearing the same name exists as an oddity among humanoid languages - it shares no alphabet, syntax, or composition with any other nearby regional language other than Rahdiör (a derivative of Diomör). It appears to have developed independent of outside influences and has retained its uniqueness throughout the generations.

Imnehwe

Alphabet: Imnehwe
Parent Language: None
Where Spoken: Southern Esora
Details: Similar to Nyakonas, Imnehwe is not a single defined language but a collection of associated dialects spread among the oaxela tribes of southern Esora. The oaxela carry a strong oral tradition but have also developed writing and symbology. The finer details vary subtly from tribe to tribe, but all share a consistent pronunciation and syntax.

Kadúr

Alphabet: Itab'awal
Parent Language: Kadí
Where Spoken: Arakhor
Details: A direct descendant of Kadí, Kadúr is what happened when the dark elves who emigrated to Arakhor from Súter began intermingling with other seafaring cultures. Though its alphabet remains largely unchanged, Kadúr includes grammar, colloquialisms, and euphemisms from around the world.

Mapog

Alphabet: Mapog
Parent Language: None
Where Spoken: Kaputapa, Mokwai
Details: Mapog is the native language of the boggards who dwell in the jungle swamps of both Kaputapa and Mokwai, despite being separated by an ocean and generations of genetic divergence. Though their vocalizations typically incorporate croaks and throat rumbles, the language is simple enough that those are unnecessary for other races. Mapog's written form is a simplistic glyphic alphabet easy for outsiders to learn.

Nyakonas

Alphabet: None
Parent Language: None
Where Spoken: Nyakona island chain
Details: Though the national languages of "civilized" portions of Nyakona West are Daelish and Hjinna and that of Nyakona East is Magní, the indigenous peoples of the vast island chain all speak various dialects of a single parent language. Though writing has been introduced to the tribes over many generations of seafaring travel and trade, many tribes cling adamantly to their purely oral language traditions, believing that their language carries spiritual magic and allowing it to be written allows foreigners to claim control of that magic.

Rahdiör

Alphabet: Diomör
Parent Language: Diomör and Velen
Where Spoken: Zahareiva
Details: Generations of cultural intermixing of seafaring settlers from Diomör and Takara Velai created the language of Rahdiör. Spoken only on the island of Zahareiva, Rahdiör blends verbal components of both parent languages with the simpler runic-based alphabet of Diomör.

Velen

Alphabet: Zhǔyì
Parent Language: Zhishí
Where Spoken: Fitzei, Takara Velai, Zahareiva
Details: A derivative of Zhishí, Velen is the native language of the gnomish nation of Takara Velai. Taking the character-based writing of Zhishí and applying gnomish engineering sensibilities, Velen uses rounded characterizations and rotational syntax. It is spoken lightly among gnomish settlements on Zahareiva and is the primary language of the Fitzei Holdings.

Zhishe

Alphabet: Zhǔyì
Parent Language: Zhishí
Where Spoken: Simshiá, Takara Velai
Details: Another derivative of Zhishí, Zhishé is a similar but distinct language spoken by the highland region of Simshiá in northern Shoto. Though lowland Shoto culture is moderately disdainful of the offshoot language, the gnomes of Takara Velai tend to appreciate its practicality. It is spoke little outside the small regions.

Unique

Abyssal (Militant)

Alphabet: Abyssal
Parent Language: None
Where Spoken: Abyssum
Details: Though Abyssal has three variants, this distinction is rarely useful to anyone who isn't an outsider that communicates through telepathy. Though all three variants can be spoken aloud, the differences are only apparent when paired with empathic inflections. The "middle class" of Abyssal, its militant variant is used by demon-generals and their mid-tier subordinates and can be learned by mortals with telepathic training.

Abyssal (Noble)

Alphabet: Abyssal
Parent Language: None
Where Spoken: Abyssum
Details: The noble variant of Abyssal is only meant to be used by Demonlords and is the language in which true demon names can be properly pronounced. Only beings with powerful psychic or telepathic abilities can manage the complex empathic enunciations of this variant. Demonlords can sense unauthorized use of the language, even if the offender is on another plane.

Abyssal (Scourge)

Alphabet: Abyssal
Parent Language: None
Where Spoken: Abyssum, Mundus demon cults
Details: The lowest form of Abyssal, its scourge variant is used by the lowest denizens of Abyssum and can be spoken without the use of telepathy. Therefore, this is the variant heard in mortals' demon rituals and fiendish spellcasting.

Drakanic

Alphabet: Drakanic
Parent Language: None
Where Spoken: By dragons and their kin
Details: Drakanic is the ancient reptillian language spoken by dragons, wyrms, linnorms, drakes, and their kin. Though spoken by these species around the world, proper use of the spoken language requires various guttoral sounds and hisses that are impractical or impossible for most humanoids. On the otherhand, many scholars and spelunkers learn to read, write, and understand it spoken through extensive training.

Matrician

Alphabet: Matrician
Parent Language: None
Where Spoken: The Crystal Matrix
Details: A mysterious language heard in the far northeastern islands of Contriterra, Matrician is spoken by the ice people of the Crystal Matrix. Requiring a unique effect of crystaline harmonics, it is impossible for non-elemental humanoids to replicate. Its written form can be understood, but requires the ability to see "within" the crystalline structure of a writing surface.

Okrarpok

Alphabet: None (symbols)
Parent Language: None
Where Spoken: Nellman Peninsula
Details: Spoken only among the native Qimuq tribes of the Nellman Peninsula, Okrarpok is a mix of grunts, growls, speech, and pheremone projection. While a rudimentary form of the language can be spoken and understood by non-qimuqs, only mammilian creatures with the proper throat structure and glands can accurately use it. In a fascinating but sensible turn, the language is easily adapted by bhaykiisi.

Raje

Alphabet: None
Parent Language: Arazisar'ki
Where Spoken: Raj
Details: Raje is the native language spoken on the lizardfolk home island of Raj. Though it is technically a derivative of Arazisar'ki, like Drakanic the language is difficult to speak without proper reptilian mouth, throat, and tongue structure. Similar to the tribes of Nyakona, the rajans shun written language and hold fast to their oral traditions.

Xikstryl

Alphabet: Xikstryl
Parent Language: None
Where Spoken: Hershav
Details: As alien to humanoids as true Abyssal, Xikstryl is the native language of Hershav's insectoid desert dwellers - commonly known by the derisive colloquialism "Clickers." Less a spoken language than a manifested one, Xikstryl requires the use of mandible clicking, antennae movements, thoraxial vibrations, pheremone projection, and a limited hive-mind connection. Though some have managed to gain an extremely rough understanding of the language, true fluency has eluded all scholars. This applies to written Xikstryl as well; its complex system of markings is unlike any runic or glyphic alphabet known and even the most dedicated scholars have yet to understand it.

Languages by Category

Common

Daelish, Kadí, Kelé, Ticari, Zhishí

Regional

Arazisar'ki, Azulá, Brechnikov, Hjinna, Magní, Ünsprache

Local

Chisei, Coröniano, Diomör, Imnehwe, Kadúr, Mapog, Nyakonas, Rahdiör, Velen, Zhishé

Unique

Abyssal (variants), Drakanic, Matrician, Okrarpok, Raje, Xikstryl

Languages by Continent

Esora

Common
Daelish
Regional
Azulá, Hjinna
Local
Imnehwe
Unique
Drakanic, Okrarpok, Xikstryl

Janabáir

Common
Kadí, Ticari
Regional
Magní, Ünsprache
Local
Coröniano
Unique
Drakanic, Raje

Koliska

Common
Kelé, Ticari, Zhishí
Regional
Arazisar'ki, Brechnikov,
Local
Diomör, Mapog, Velen, Zhishé
Unique
Drakanic

Languages by Alphabet

Écrite

Coröniano, Magní, Ünsprache 

Itab'awal

Kadí, Kadúr

Litera

Azulá, Daelish, Hjinna

Yazisi

Arazisar'ki, Brechnikov, Kelé, Ticari

Zhǔyì

Chisei, Velen, Zhishé, Zhishí

Other

Abyssal, Diomör, Drakanic, Imnehwe, Mapog, Matrician, Rahdiör, Xikstryl

None

Nyakonas, Okrarpok, Raje